Veteran's Day Office Closure
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices will be closed for Veteran's Day, Wednesday, November 11.
Mancos State Park
State Park in Mancos, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visitor Center: Tues-Sat 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Closed Sun-Mon
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10-$15
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
42545 Road N
Mancos, CO 81328
United States
Mancos State Park
State Park in Mancos, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visitor Center: Tues-Sat 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Closed Sun-Mon
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10-$15
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
42545 Road N
Mancos, CO 81328
United States
Navigate to:
Fishing from the rocky shore
Park Highlight
Explore Jackson Gulch Reservoir
The park's main attraction is the 216 surface acre reservoir. Jackson Gulch Reservoir is a great place for fishing and hand-powered crafts such as kayaks, canoes and sailboats. Jackson Gulch is a wakeless reservoir — boaters cannot create a wake here, and water skiing is not allowed. Swimming in the reservoir is allowed.
Facilities
Boat Ramp
The boat ramp at Mancos State Park is CLOSED, and will remain closed the rest of the season due to low water levels. Hand-launched vessels are still allowed, but if it has a motor it needs to be inspected before launching.
----------------
There is one concrete boat ramp in excellent condition on the southeast side of Jackson Gulch Reservoir. A courtesy dock will be available in the summer months, when water levels allow.
The boat ramp is open for the season for as long as conditions allow. Launching requires an ANS (Aquatic Nuisance Species) inspection or use of the pre-inspection drop box. Hand-launched, human-powered vessels may launch from the ramp without an ANS inspection.
Occupying the boat ramp landing or the concrete ramp and fishing from the boat ramp and dock are not allowed.
Normally, the boat ramp is entirely closed from mid-October until May.
See the "Mandatory Boat Inspections for Aquatic Nuisance Species" information lower on the page.
Water Safety
Colorado Water is Cold Water
Colorado waters are classified as "cold water" (anything under 70 degrees) for most of the year. Swimming in cold water risks cold water shock, which can lead to drowning even for strong, experienced swimmers.
Life Jackets Save Lives
The majority of swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking fatalities occur when people are not wearing a life jacket. By keeping you above water, life jackets can be a last line of defense that prevents a bad situation from getting far worse. Colorado law requires that all water vessels have appropriately sized life jackets readily accessible for every person on board.
Boating and Fishing
Boating
All boating at Jackson Gulch is wakeless. It is a great place for hand-powered crafts such as kayaks, canoes and sailboats. Only non-motorized, hand-launched kayaks, canoes, rafts, belly boats, float tubes, paddle boards and foldable boats when the boat ramp is closed. No boating is available during winter due to the presence of ice.
Fishing
Jackson Gulch provides quality fishing opportunities year-round for various species of trout, as well as yellow perch.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is allowed when conditions permit. Please use caution when ice fishing. Have proper safety equipment and follow safety guidelines.
Fish Species and Bag Limits
See the Fishing Atlas for fishable species at this location and the Fishing Brochure (PDF) for daily bag limits.
Fishing Awards and Records for Mancos
Colorado Parks and Wildlife awards anglers who catch big fish. Visit the Fishing Awards and Records page for more records.
Clean Your Gear: Fishing
Help Protect Colorado Waters
Clean Your Gear
Cleaning your gear before and after use helps protect our water from aquatic nuisance species. Check out these videos to learn how to clean your fishing gear.
Water Activities
Canoeing
Canoeing is a great way to get around on the reservoir.
Kayaking
Kayaking is a popular activity at the reservoir.
Paddle Boarding
Come paddle board, and don't forget to bring your life jacket.
Sailing
Come sail on the reservoir and enjoy the picturesque landscape.
Mandatory Boat Inspections for ANS at Mancos
To boat on the reservoir, an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) stamp, current boat registration and a pre-launch boat inspection at the boat ramp is required.
Vessels and other floating devices that are both hand-launched and human-powered are exempt from mandatory ANS inspections. Although, the public is strongly encouraged to self-inspect their watercrafts, boots, waders, and fishing equipment by making sure that all equipment is clean, drained, and dry. For instructions, see Clean Your Gear.
Learn more about aquatic nuisance species.
Inspection Hours
Daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For pre-inspections or off-season inspections, please call Mancos at 970-533-7065.
Aquatic Nuisance Species
Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are aquatic plants and animals that invade lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams, including zebra mussels, quagga mussels, New Zealand mudsnails, Asian carp, rusty crayfish and more.
Stop the Spread of ANSOh, SHELL NO
Be a Pain in the ANS
Colorado’s chile crop could be impacted by Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS). Take action when you clean, drain and dry your water gear.
Bring the Brochures with You
Fishing Brochure
Read up on the location you want to fish before you head out.
Download the Brochure
Land and Water Regulations Brochure
Have a question about regulations? Check the brochure.
Download the Brochure